The fitness industry has a history of reinventing itself. Jazzercise was all the rage in the 1980s. In the 2000s, CrossFit became mainstream. One current trend is toward more targeted workouts. Here we check in with three specialized gyms opening or expanding in the Eugene / Springfield area.

Ten years ago, Mason Williams was the featured performer for the first event at the Wildish Theater in Springfield. Now he returns as a guest at the theater’s 10th anniversary gala on Saturday, May 20th. He speaks with KLCC’s Eric Alan about his career, including the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, his instrumental hit “Classical Gas,” his art projects and a new movie he’s in with Tom Hanks and others.

Downtown Springfield is highlighting its business scene tomorrow. The third annual “First Day of Springfield” event will benefit not only a non-profit group, but local shop owners. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.

In 2008, KLCC’s Angela Kellner reported on efforts to revitalize downtown Springfield. Business owners cited crime, parking and lighting as a few of the challenges impeding their success. Nine years later, Kellner follows up on efforts to fix those problems.

In Springfield faith and service organizations continue to help homeless folks find shelter and get in to housing. They also help low income people pay rent. There’s little to no emergency shelter available in the city, and thousands of names are on the wait list for subsidized housing.

Improvements to Springfield's Glenwood district have been in the works for decades. This spring, the Franklin redevelopment plan breaks ground. While progress is being made, officials say continued momentum depends on conditions beyond their control.

Fictional candidate Thomas Jerry is running to become Oregon’s first Third Senator, in the interactive murder mystery comedy Murder on the Campaign Trail. Candidate Jerry (as channeled by actor William Campbell) visits with Eric Alan and details his unusual platform positions on oil, guns, marijuana and the Supreme Court. The play runs through April 30th at the Springfield Holiday Inn.

The City of Springfield is installing a two-story, photorealistic painted mural of Ken Kesey downtown on the side of the Odd Fellows Building, current home of PlankTown Brewing. It was designed by Craig Ferroggiaro of Willamette Valley Color, and will be painted by Old City Artists, who also installed the nearby Simpsons mural. Craig Ferrogiaro speaks with Eric Alan about capturing the essence of Kesey, and the inspiring creative challenge of working with existing architecture.

Laudati: “But when you talk about the renewal of the levy, it’s specific to Springfield, it’s specific to having five stations in Springfield. So this levy is for the cost of the operation of a fifth station in Springfield.”

Springfield is growing and changing. The city won an award this week from the American Planning Association for its Phase I Glenwood Refinement Plan. KLCC's Rachael McDonald speaks with Mayor Christine Lundberg.

The Springfield City Council has asked staff to act promptly to improve safety on Main Street following a vehicle incident last month that killed three children.

The children, ages 4, 5 and 8, were in the crosswalk at Main and 54th on February 22nd when a pick-up driver struck and killed them. The children’s mother, also struck, is recovering. The incident is under investigation.

In the past decade, 14 people have died on the wide corridor in collisions involving a mix of pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists:

Eugene and Springfield are holding two weekend-long volleyball tournaments for USA Volleyball Junior Girls Club Teams. Organizers expect these tournaments will attract thousands of athletes, coaches and college recruiters.

Mike Gaffaney is with the Eugene, Cascades and Coast Sports Commission. He expects many participants will be from out of town and will bring business to the Eugene-Springfield area.

The Egan Warming Centers confirmed they are activated for tonight, Saturday. But they will NOT be open on Sunday and Monday nights because the overnight temperatures will not be cold enough.

Those needing to get to a Warming Center tonight can ride LTD for free - just tell the driver you need to get to a warming center. St Vincent de Paul will provide shuttle service from the First Christian parking lot behind the church to other sites from about 5:30 pm- 8:30 pm.

Residents against Springfield's proposal to expand the Urban Growth Boundary to nearby Seavey Loop are using an old protest tactic: fasting.

The citizen's coalition known as "No Industrial Pisgah" is organizing the fast all day Friday (Nov. 14) and Saturday (Nov. 15) in front of Springfield City Hall. Charles Stewart owns an organic farm in Seavey Loop. He says the proposal isn't compatible with surrounding agriculture practices.

Nick Symmonds represented the USA in the men's 800-meter at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the 2012 Olympics in London. The Springfield resident has a new book out about his career on and off the track.

The City of Springfield is partnering with the iconic television show The Simpsons to bring the family to Downtown on a mural. The show is celebrating its 25th anniversary. It's the longest running scripted show currently still on the air.

The critically acclaimed show featuring Homer, Bart, Maggie and Lisa is set in Springfield. Simpsons Producer Al Jean says they have always been vague about which state the show is set in.

Jay Bozievich and Faye Stewart were not defeated by opponents in the May Primary. They were elected to another 4-year term on the Lane County Board of Commissioners, according to final election results released Friday.

Bozievich beat Dawn Lesley by 75 votes in the West Lane race, so there won't be a run-off in November.

Stewart won the East Lane race over four opponents, avoiding a runoff against top challenger Kevin Matthews by just seven votes.

The Simpsons are coming home to Springfield. Well, on a mural at least. The city is partnering with Simpsons production crew with input from series creator Oregon native Matt Groening. Springfield Community Relations Manager Niel Laudati says the show is a cultural icon now, and it's great the City has a role to play.

A commission recommends Springfield City Councilors should be paid. KLCC’s Claude Offenbacher reports the question may go to voters in November.

The Springfield Planning Commission, acting as the Committee for Citizen Involvement, has concluded paying stipends to City Councilors to be justified. The proposal would be to pay 500 dollars to the Mayor and 300 dollars to Councilors monthly. Some Councilors and city staff had prompted a study by the Commission, which then considered the request, taking an Oregon-wide perspective…

The race for the position representing Springfield on the Lane County Board of Commissioners has attracted two challengers for incumbent Sid Leiken. Political newcomer Charmaine Rehg and Springfield City Councilor Sheri Moore are taking on the career politician.

Charmaine Rehg is a licensed practical nurse. The St. Louis native moved to Oregon less than 2½ year ago. She serves on the Willamette Jazz Society Board and is a member of the Washburne Homeowner’s Association. Rehg has never held elected office and explains why she’s running for the Lane County Board of Commissioners.